New to the Tacoma, Seattle area...

My name is Aaron and I just moved here from Flagstaff, AZ. I am looking for climbing partners and any info on bouldering areas near Tacoma and Auburn. I want to start teaching my girlfriend to climb and need to know where close bouldering and climbing areas are. I've been climbing for around 6 months and lead 5.9 and boulder V-3. Thanks for any info and help...<]:-)

I'm unfortunately no longer in that area, but hopefully I can steer you in the proper direction. If you like sport lead, heading east on I-90 from Seattle and getting off on exit 38 will lead you to North Bend climbing area. There's a pretty good selection of routes throughout that area, and right on the intro to Deception Crag , I feel is a good area to teach. You might look around and see if you can find the Exit 38 (or Exit 32 if you are feeling daring) guidebooks. I know Edgeworks Climbing had them when I was there, you would probably also find them at REI or some place.

You should also check out Cascadeclimbers.com its our local forum that has a fairly active user base.

Tacoma wise for gyms there is only Edgeworks, which is a great gym. Outdoor climbing you have fossil rock down by yelm, exit 32/38 off of I-90 and well a whole list of areas honestly.

Your best bet like Ohio86 said is to pick up a washington climbing book. Any barnes and noble should have the Falcon Guide Rock Climbing Washington in the washington section.

Welcome to the rainy northwest!

Thanks for the input...I'll check it out. Climb hard!!!

2nd Cascade Climbers. Good place to find out more about climbing in Washington. The Falcon Guide for Washington is also another option and is sometimes easier to find than the North Bend ones. I think the new version is much improved over the previous one. northbendrock.com/ Should hold you over until you can get your hands on the books.

Deception Crags is a good place but it is often very crowded and is used by school groups, gym camps, families with young kids, etc. The Far Side has another crag that is easy to TR and it is a good place to teach as well. Many of the 5.8/9 routes in the area have hardish/bouldery starts that can be difficult for new climbers.

If you are going to teach your gf to clean a good place is the route to the left of Write of Rock (exit 38) next to the bridge. You can walk carefully to the anchors and talk her through it and see that she is actually getting the steps correct. Much safer than waiting till she is at the top of a 80ft pitch.

Thanks Phil...

There is a climbing wall behind the Auburn Library, new in the last year or so. It's on the outside wall of the Gym, next to the park. They have pre-hung draws on 3 routes, but 7-10 TR anchors, so you can move over a few feet and try the next route. Pretty easy climbing, but a nice, free work-out, and padded landing if you're just bouldering. We just bring harness, shoes, a short rope (it's about 25' tall) and belay devices.
As Ohio86 said, North Bend is probably your closest outdoor area with plenty of routes once it's dry enough.

Kowboy

Cool, I'll check it out today...Thanks Kowboy...